WEEK IN REVIEW – 12 FEBRUARY 2016

Markets remain extremely nervous about the outlook for the global economy. This past week saw even further decreases in developed bond yields, the US 10yr reaching a low of 1.54% and the Japanese 10yr temporarily moving into negative territory. Negative bond yields essentially imply investors pay the borrower to lend them money. However, while developed market government bond yields are declining, the cost of protecting against default by non-investment grade companies has escalated to levels not seen since 2012. This is illustrated by the risk premium on the Markit CDS North American High Yield Index, a credit default swap benchmark tied to the debt of 100 junk-rated companies. The increase in the index further reinforces the uncertainty dominating global sentiment.

This past week gold rallied 5.5% as investors fled to safe haven assets. Since the beginning of January, gold has risen over 15% and is now trading at USD 1218/oz. In contrast, oil continues to suffer; fluctuating around the USD30/bbl level, putting the ratio of gold to oil prices at an all-time high. Although the oil price recovered somewhat towards the end of the week, comments at the International Petroleum Week, which brought some of the biggest oil industry leaders together, further confirmed that the price of oil is likely to remain lower for longer. While not everyone is in agreement, many at the conference warned that the oil price is unlikely to recover for some time, largely owing to oversupply.

In the US, Fed Chair, Janet Yellen gave her testimony in front of congress where she warned that turmoil in global markets could negatively impact US growth, in particular the slowdown in China and Chinese exchange rate policy. However, Yellen made it clear that while these risks should be carefully monitored, they had not yet materialized. She defended the decision to hike rates in December, stating that US policy remains accommodative and that gradual rate hikes would be implemented in such a way that would not constrain economic growth. Expectations for a Fed rate hike in the first half of the year are now low.

US retail sales numbers were also released, coming in better than expected. January retail sales rose 0.6% y/y against expectations of 0.3% y/y. This is a marked improvement on the -0.3% decline in December.

Despite a recovery towards the end of the week, most global markets ended the week in the red, the
MSCI World Index down 2.5% but slightly better than EM markets (the MSCI EM Index down 3.8%).
Amongst the worst performers was Japan; Nikkei 225 Index down 11.1% w/w and now down 21.4% YTD.

DOMESTIC MARKETS
GOVERNMENT TRYING TO AVERT DOWNGRADE

The main highlight of the week revolved around President Zuma’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday night. After all the commotion finally settled down and members from the Congress of the People (COPE) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) left the National Assembly, Zuma managed to deliver his speech (an hour after the event was scheduled to start).

Given the recent warnings by credit rating agencies, expectations were elevated that the SONA would focus on the economy. Developments in recent weeks have led many to believe that the government may be pulling together to avoid a credit rating downgrade but in summary, while the address did highlight the severe implications of a credit downgrade and the need to boost economic growth, it failed to reveal any new confidence-boosting initiatives.

On austerity, some highlights revolved around cost cutting on wasteful expenditure within government and the nuclear programme, which is supposedly only going to proceed at a scale the country can afford. There was also a focus on the importance of partnerships between government and the private sector, the need to stabilise the labour market as well as issues facing some SOEs, in particular issues around management and financing, which need to be addressed. However, Zuma failed to identify how these objectives would be achieved.

For the remainder of the month, focus will be on what Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has to say at the Budget Statement on 24 February. The rating agencies are primarily focused on the debt-servicing ability of borrowing entities, which means they will focus on aspects of austerity and on possible improvements to economic growth, which affects tax revenue. While it could have been much more specific in areas and in particular numbers, the SONA was a step in the right direction. The pressure is therefore now on Gordhan to follow through with how these are to be achieved and funded.

SA mining and manufacturing numbers were released, both indicating these sectors performed better than expected in December despite the continued slide in commodity prices and the recent PMI survey which hinted at ongoing strains in the manufacturing sector. Mining output slowed less than expected by -0.3% y/y against expectations of -0.9% y/y and manufacturing production rose 0.4% y/y (against consensus expectations of a 1.5% decline).

This upcoming week, focus will likely be on the January CPI numbers as the market seeks a clearer sense of the effect the drought and exchange rate have had on consumer prices. Expectations are for headline CPI to touch the upper end of the band at 6% (up from 5.2% in December).

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DANINE joined Brenthurst in March 2015 as a Professional Administrative Assistant and currently holds the position of Junior Investment Planner. She obtained a B.A. degree in Industrial Psychology, a Certificate in Labour Relations Management and a Certificate in Income Tax.

Danine is currently studying towards her B.Com degree in Human Resource Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

She further successfully completed the First Level Regulatory Examination for Representatives which enables her to furnish advice to clients on all investment related matters under the direct supervision of Magnus Heystek.

LEBANETTE joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2019 as Receptionist for the Stellenbosch office and as Legal Assistant to Malissa Anthony, Head of the Fiduciary Department within the Cape Town region.

She has many years of valuable experience as a Legal Secretary to Partners and Senior Directors of reputable Law Firms and has held key Administrative, Marketing and Management positions throughout her career.

JEANIQUE joined Brenthurst Wealth in February 2019 as an Assistant Financial Adviser in the Pretoria branch.

She has been in the financial services industry since 2014 working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients assisting in all financial planning related duties. Jeanique obtained a BCom Business Management degree from the University of Pretoria in 2013.

YOLANDE started her career in the banking sector in 2004 with Nedbank.

In 2008, she moved into a specialized field of collateral management joining the Securities Lending and Borrowing Team in Nedbank. Later she joined Absa Capital’s collateral team as Vice Principal in 2013, before moving to Investec Bank in 2016.

MARIA joined Brenthurst Wealth in February 2019 as an Assistant Financial Adviser in the Pretoria branch.

She has been in the financial services industry since 2015 working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients assisting in all financial planning related duties. Maria obtained a BCom Economics degree from the North West University Potchefstroom Campus. Maria is currently studying towards her Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State.

She is designated as Administrator Assistant to our Magnus Jnr Heystek and Danine van Schalkwyk. Having earned her diploma of Executive Secretary Human Resources Management from College SA, she understands the process of recruiting and business organisations. As a researcher administrator, she gained her skills as an office administrator. She particularly enjoyed working within the corporate industry where patience and persistence was her key motivator. Geraldine is based at our Fourways Offices, Johannesburg.

LESLIE GREYLING joined Brenthurst Wealth Management in 2018 as a Risk and Investment Advisor.

Leslie is a Registered Financial Planner and has 21 years experience in the Financial Services Industry with 14 years as an Independent Financial Advisor.
She is a member of the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI) and fully qualified to give advice on all aspects of Investments, Retirement planning and Life cover which includes Personal and Business Assurance.

SUZEAN HAUMANN is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and a registered member of the professional body, the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa.

She has experience in various aspects of financial planning and focuses on investment and retirement planning as well offshore investment, being qualified as a Foreign Exchange Consultant for the company.

Suzean is based in Cape Town and is mainly working from the Tygervalley branch and is fully qualified to give advice on all investment matters

GAVIN ESTERHUYZEN joined Brenthurst Wealth in July 2018 as a Junior Financial Planner under the supervision of Certified Financial Planner Johan Burger.

He qualified with a BSc Mathematical Statistics degree in 2012 from the University of South Africa as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning at the University of the Free State in 2017. He also passed the CFA Level 1 examination and is currently studying towards the CFP and CFA designation.

Gavin previously worked at Simeka (Sanlam) Consultants and Actuaries, gaining exposure to Retirement fund valuations and also worked at ABSA Private Bank being mostly involved with Investment analysis.

ANDRE BASSON is based in Brenthurst Wealth’s Stellenbosch and Tygervalley office.

Andre attained a B.Comm from the University of Stellenbosch, finishing top of his Financial planning class. His postgraduate studies include a B.Comm Honours degree and a Postgrad Diploma in Financial Planning from Stellenbosch University.

He also completed his Advanced Postgrad Diploma in Financial Planning (Cum Laude) from the University of the Free State. He previously gained experience as a financial planner at Sanlam.

He has a passion to help clients take ownership of their financial affairs, generate solutions and grow long term wealth.

KERRY LANDMAN joined Brenthurst Wealth in March 2017 as administrative assistant and receptionist for the Stellenbosch branch. In 1996, after a year as a high school maths and science teacher, she entered the financial services industry as a pension fund administrator at Alexander Forbes, Windhoek.

Three years later she relocated to the Western Cape and joined Momentum for a short stint. She was then recruited by Alexander Forbes Financial Services in Stellenbosch where she spent the next 16 years; the first 6 years as a senior pension fund administrator and the next 10 years as a financial advisor assistant.

DALEEN NORTJE was appointed in August 2016 as the Executive Personal Assistant to Brian Butchart, Managing Director of Brenthurst Wealth in the Cape Town, De Waterkant office. She joined the insurance industry in 1986 and gained valuable experience working at several providers like Sanlam, Southern Life, Momentum and AIMS.

She spent her last 10 years working at Alexander Forbes Financial Planning Consultants where she was appointed as part of the Wealth Management team and had the opportunity to serve as the Administration Manager of the Western Cape Region for her last 8 years. She managed an administration staff compliment of 22 people and rotated between the Cape Town and Stellenbosch offices. She obtained her Advanced Certification in Financial planning (NQF6) in 2013. Daleen is married and has 3 daughters.

RONELLE joined Brenthurst Wealth in April 2013. She gained 24 years of valuable experience at Sanlam Life as a personal assistant to Senior Management as well as other key administrative support positions throughout her career.

Ronelle will be assisting the Cape Town office as a receptionist and other administrative, marketing related activities including investment seminars.

Sesetu joined Brenthurst Wealth in April 2018 as a receptionist and an administrative assistant to Suzean Haumann in the Bellville office.

She matriculated on 2010 in the Eastern Cape, Attwell Madala High School. Other responsibilities include managing and securing filing of client documentation, data-systems updates and general administrative duties.

Brian Butchart

BRIAN is Managing Director of Brenthurst Wealth and head of financial planning in Cape Town. Brian is also responsible for compliance and operations nationally across all six offices.

He has been in the financial services industry since 1998, and has previously worked at Citadel and Magnus Heystek International.

Brian is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa and is fully qualified to give advice on all investment matters.

Christoff Potgieter

CHRISTOFF joined Brenthurst Wealth Management in June 2010. He obtained his REGISTERED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2016 (also known as the RFP™ designation).

He is a junior financial planner and assists clients with investment planning under the supervision of Magnus Heystek, Investment Specialist and Director of Brenthurst Wealth Management.

Christoff is currently studying towards his Advanced National Certificate in Financial Planning and will be completing the CFP® qualification in 2017/2018.

MARISE SMIT joined the Brenthurst team in April 2015. She is an experienced Certified Financial Planner® with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry.

She is a strong finance professional with a Bachelor of Commerce in Investment Management and Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) in Financial Management from the University of Pretoria. She also completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State.

Marise is also a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa and is fully qualified to give advice on all investment matters.

DALEEN joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Media and Communications consultant at the start of 2015.

She manages media liaison for the company and contributes content for various platforms ranging from client newsletters, the Brenthurst Blog and social media profiles. She started her career as a business journalist and has extensive experience in public relations and corporate communication in the financial services industry.

She has a B.Com (Industrial Psychology and Economics) degree and is currently studying Brand and Marketing Management.

SUE is a director of Brenthurst Wealth and heads up the Brenthurst Wealth Management marketing department.

She joined Brenthurst Wealth Management in 2003. She co-ordinates all advertising, print activities as well as online developments, ensuring consistent corporate identity across marketing and public relations channels.

Other responsibilities include identifying marketing opportunities and trends as well as arranging national educational investment seminars ensuring that Brenthurst Wealth Clients are continuously updated and informed of the latest trends and movements in global financial markets. Prior to joining the investment industry, she gained eight years valuable experience at Gillette as a brand manager on top-performing brands.

WILLS, ESTATES, LEGAL ADVISOR AND COMPLIANCE

MALISSA joined the Brenthurst Team in July 2014, and heads up our Fiduciary Services Department within the Cape Town region.

She is responsible for the drafting of wills, administration of deceased estates, estate planning, and all matters that relate to legal and compliance. She is a qualified attorney having been admitted in the High Court of Cape Town.

Malissa has a BCom Law degree obtained from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), an LLB degree obtained from the University of South Africa (UNISA), and a further certificate in Estate Planning obtained through Milpark. In addition to the above, Malissa is also an accredited member of the Fiduciary Institute of South Africa (FISA) and holds the professional designation as a Fiduciary Practitioner of South Africa®.

DANINE joined Brenthurst Wealth in March 2015 as a Professional Administrative Assistant and currently holds the position of Junior Investment Planner.

She obtained a B.A. degree in Industrial Psychology, a Certificate in Labour Relations Management and a Certificate in Income Tax. Danine is currently studying towards her B.Com degree in Human Resource Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

She further successfully completed the First Level Regulatory Examination for Representatives which enables her to furnish advice to clients on all investment related matters under the direct supervision of Sonia du Plessis.

ARIN RUTTENBERG joined Brenthurst Wealth in June 2016 as a Junior Financial planner under the supervision of experienced planner Magnus Heystek Jnr. He qualified with a Bcom in Finance and Investment in 2012 from the University of South Africa.

Arin previously worked at Investec Private Bank gaining exposure to credit, forex, cash investments and high net worth clients. He also leveraged off of other departments such as Asset Management and Wealth and Investment in order to broaden his knowledge further.

Arin’s passion for investment and changing the way people view retirement led him to perusing a career in financial planning. He will be completing the CFP® qualification in 2017.

ESMERIE is CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and also in charge of the Foreign Exchange department at Brenthurst Wealth.

She obtained a B.Com degree at the University of the South Africa as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning at the University of the Free State. She joined Brenthurst Wealth in 2009 and started her career as a Financial Advisor in 2015.

Esmerie is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa and is fully qualified to give advice on all investment matters.

MAGS is the head of the Sandton office, and also serves as the Key Individual for Johannesburg.

Mags has been in the financial services industry for over seven years, being a fully fledged CFP® professional since November 2012. Mags also serves as a member and representative of the Brenthurst Wealth Investment Committee with relation to the management of our White Label Funds.

Mags is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa and is fully qualified to give advice on all investment matters.

SONIA has been in the financial services industry since 2001. She previously worked for Magnus Heystek International as well as Absa Private Bank where she gained valuable experience in investment and life insurance matters.

She obtained a B.Com degree in 2001 from the University of the Free State and was awarded the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation in 2004.

Sonia is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa and is fully qualified to give advice on all investment matters.

GAVIN joined Brenthurst Wealth in March 2007 and presently heads up the Johannesburg office as well as the tax and accounts department.

He has an accounting diploma and gained many years experience in the accounting and tax fields, whilst working at various prestigious law firms and Brenthurst Wealth. Gavin is a registered General Tax Practitioner (SA) and a member of the South African Institute of Tax Professionals.

Gavin is currently completing his B.Com degree and has successfully completed the First Regulatory Examination, which enables him to give advice on all investment matters under supervision.

JOHAN is head of financial planning at our Pretoria branch and a director of Brenthurst Wealth Management (Pty) Ltd.

Johan obtained a B.Com degree in Financial Management from the University of South Africa in 2004. Additional qualifications include two years at Lynn University in the USA where he qualified in International Business. Johan initially gained experience at Interdynamics an Australian Risk Analyst Company. He joined Brenthurst Wealth in 2006 and completed his National Certificate in Wealth Management.

Johan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa and is fully qualified to give advice on all investment matters.

RICHUS is head of the Brenthurst Bellville and Stellenbosch office.
He has been in the financial services industry since January 2004 and has worked for Investec Trust and Fiduciary services in the Channel Islands (Guernsey and Jersey) and Geneva.

In 2008 he moved back to join Investec Private Bank in Cape Town. Richus has a B.Comm Management Accountancy degree from the University of Stellenbosch. He completed his audit articles at Logista Auditors and Accountants (Stellenbosch) and completed his ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualifying exams in December 2011.

He is a fully registered member of ACCA and attained his Post-graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of Stellenbosch (Cum Laude). He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, a member of the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa and is fully qualified to give advice on all investment matters.

WILLS, ESTATE PLANNING & DECEASED ESTATE ADMINISTRATOR

ROZANNE has been at Brenthurst since 2010 in different capacities, and then officially re-joined in 2014 after completing her article of clerkship, to head up our Fiduciary Services Department within the Gauteng region.

She is responsible for the drafting of wills, administration of deceased estates, estate planning, and all matters that relate to trusts, offshore trusts and offshore wills.

She is about to be admitted as an attorney. Rozanne has a BA Psychology & International Studies degree obtained from Monash University, a LLB degree obtained from the University of South Africa (UNISA), and a further certificate in International Trust Management from STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Planners).

RENÉ joined Brenthurst Wealth in June 2017 as Administrative Assistant to Marise Smit and Esmerie Pienaar. Her previous experience include 20 years in the insurance industry, of which 3 years was in Sanlam’s Legal Department.

In 1992 she received an offer to join PPS (Professional Provident Society) as a Broker Consultant. During her first three years of employment with the Society, she completed her Diploma in Marketing Management and was promoted to Senior Marketing Consultant. René worked at PPS for seven years and later joined Citadel Investment Services, in the Compliance Department where she obtained valuable experience.

MAGDA is Brenthurst Wealth’s latest recruit. She joins Brenthurst as Administrative Assistant and receptionist for the Pretoria branch.

Magda entered the financial services industry in 2011 when she joined CUBrokers in Klerksdorp as an assistant to one of their planners. When her boss decided to open her own business, Magda followed her and served as her right hand in building up “Bprepared Brokers” from scratch—assisting her with client queries and general administrative duties. She left that employ when she moved to Pretoria. Prior to that Magda also worked as a chef for a guesthouse in the English countryside.

Busi joined Brenthurst in 2017 and provides administrative and catering support to the team at the Fourways office. She assists visitors to the office and manages the kitchen requirements needed to maintain the service levels clients have become accustomed to.

Before joining Brenthurst she worked in the retail industry in various roles, including shop assistant in an outlet in a large mall.

JOSH joined Brenthurst Wealth in February 2016 as an administrative assistant. He assists the Financial Planners with administrative duties regarding asset management that includes portfolio reviews, organization and monitoring of documentation.

Josh also aids with the updating of client’s last Wills and Testament. Josh is a young driven individual who is busy establishing his career in the financial planning industry. He is currently studying towards a BCom degree in the College of Law at the University of South Africa.

PHONET joined Brenthurst Wealth in April 2008 and started her career in a support role with catering services for clients, some reception duties and also provided basic administrative assistance.

She has since completed training to develop intermediate computer skills and now works for the administrative team at the Fourways office managing secure filing of client documentation, stationery supplies and stock management of branded marketing material.

NICCI joined Brenthurst in August 2015 as a financial planning assistant for Brenthurst advisors Renee Eagar and Magnus Heystek Junior. She is also the office manager at Brenthurst’s head office in Fourways.

She manages client administration for the two advisors which includes portfolio updates. Prior to joining Brenthurst she worked as a buyer, supply planner, channel manager and specialist representative at the South African office of global company Nestlé’s pet food division.